January 25, 2012

Changes to Renovation, Repair and Painting Lead Law

State Health Department holds informational meetings

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Lead Program is holding 11 meetings around the state to inform the public about changes in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Renovation, Repair and Painting lead law that went into effect April 22, 2010. The law requires contractors, property managers and others paid to replace windows or renovate residential houses, apartments and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 to be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Common activities like sanding, cutting and demolition can disturb lead-based paint creating hazardous lead dust and chips, which can be harmful to children and adults.

As a tenant, or a parent or guardian of children in a child care facility or school, it is important to know your rights when a renovation job is performed in your home, or in the child care facility or school your child attends. The following is a link to a renovation rights brochure,

Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers and Schools (U.S. EPA) or at www.idph.state.il.us/illinoislead/publications.htm#renovate_right.

There is no safe level of lead in the body. Lead poisoning can cause health problems including decreased I.Q., learning disabilities, kidney disease, high blood pressure, miscarriage and birth defects. In 2010, more than 3,000 Illinois children had elevated blood lead levels. This federal lead law has the potential to significantly decrease childhood lead poisoning.

To learn more about this law and the new changes, IDPH is holding 11 meetings around Illinois. Please note that these are informational meetings, and not training to become certified. An opportunity to register for training will be offered at each meeting.

To register, click on the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JNJJKHH.

For more information about the meetings, contact the Lead Program at 217-782-3517.